Bob Dylan to debut two new songs on Cinemax’s ‘Strike Back’

Bob Dylan and counterterrorism? Say what?

It may sound like an odd pairing, but that’s exactly what Cinemax is giving us with the new season of “Strike Back,” the channel’s series about a stealth counterterrorism unit crossing the globe to squelch threats. For the second season, debuting Aug. 17, two brand-new Bob Dylan songs will be featured.

The first song, “Early Roman Kings,” premieres Thursday on Cinemax, HBO and cinemax.com. The video for the song will feature scenes from the new season starring Philip Winchester, Sullivan Stapleton, Rhashan Stone and Michelle Lukes.

The second song, “Scarlet Town” will play over the end credits of the first two episodes, both of which will play on the same day.

The songs are from Dylan’s upcoming album “Tempest,” which is his 35th studio album and marks his 50th anniversary as a performer.

In a statement, Kary Antholis, president of Cinemax programming and HBO miniseries, said, “It’s an honor for Cinemax to showcase Bob Dylan’s exciting new music in his 50th anniversary year.”

The series is a coproduction with Britain’s Sky channel. The first season shown in the United States was actually the second season of the show in Britain, though only one performer from the first season, Richard Armitage, appeared in the first episode of the revamped show.

ALSO:

TCA: Aaron Sorkin and the scoop on ‘The Newsroom’

Critic’s Notebook: Ryan Seacrest scarce, excessive at Olympics

Late Night: Jon Stewart slams NBC for cutting tribute to terror victims

Join Patrick Kevin Day on Google+ or Twitter. Email: patrick.day@latimes.com

PHOTOS, VIDEO AND MORE:

PHOTOS: Behind the scenes and the Emmys Round Table